Mildred Campbell Booth passed gently from this life on Wednesday, November 14, 2012. She was born Mildred Doris Parney on August 26, 1912 in Williams County, Ohio, the fourth child of Lewis R. and Celesta (Betzer) Parney. Some of her friends knew her as Millie, others as Tiny. To her grandchildren and great grandchildren, she was simply, Nana, the kind and loving elder who fascinated them with true stories about life in a simpler age.
In 1930 Millie moved to Albion, Michigan and lived most of her life in the Albion, Homer and Marshall area. She was employed in the offices of Union Steel Products of Albion.
On December 2 1933 Millie married the love of her life, Walter D. Campbell of Homer. The Campbell family owned and operated the Michigan Dairy Farms at Homer, and a dairy manufacturing plant at Newago, Michigan. In 1945 the Campbells moved to Belle Plaine, Minnesota where Walter managed a government dairy processing plant. For health reasons they were soon forced to return to Michigan. In 1946 they built a theater in Reading, Michigan. Two years later they built, owned and operated the Albion Drive-In Theater. Mildred always worked with her husband as bookkeeper. Walter passed away April 25, 1956.
In 1958 Millie graduated from Wright’s Beauty Academy in Battle Creek and then went to Virginia Farrell Academy in Detroit for advanced training. She worked in several beauty salons.
On December 31, 1975, Millie married Kenneth M. Booth of Riviera Beach, Florida. Ken died September 18, 1977 from injuries suffered in an auto accident.
Most important in Millie’s life were her faith, family, home and friends. One of her greatest joys was helping to care for her grandchildren and friends. Two different years she took a friend with a terminal illness to Florida, spending the winter with them. Twice she hosted an exchange student from Germany for their senior year at Albion High School.
Millie loved working in her garden and had a special touch with flowers. She also enjoyed traveling and playing bridge. She visited all 50 states, the last being Alaska, where she flew over the Arctic Circle. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Marshall, and a long-time member of the Christian Fellowship Club of Battle Creek.
She is survived by a son, Dr. Walter D. Campbell of Glenview, Illinois, and a daughter, Nan (John) Strickler, grandchildren W. Scott (Cathy) Campbell, Chris (Cindy) Campbell, Jennifer (Jeffrey) Brewer, Dr. Jeffrey D. (Wendy) Strickler, Sean (Michele) Strickler, and Marianna Strickler, and 14 great grandchildren, sister Pauline Guy, and brother Don (Roberta )Parney. She was preceded in death by sister Lucille Johnston, and by two brothers, Floyd and Frank Parney.
Funeral Service will be held Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 1:00 P.M. at the First Presbyterian Church,
200 West Mansion Street, Marshall, Michigan 49068 with Rev. Diane Stone officiating. Visitation for
family and friends will be Saturday, November 17th from Noon until time of service. Burial will be at
Fairview Cemetery, Homer, Michigan.
Assistance with Memorial contributions to: American Lung Association, First Presbyterian Church of Marshall or Donor’s Choice is available at the funeral home.
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